Here are excerpts from the statement released by the group, which advocates on issues concerning commercial agriculture:

"Michigan agriculture and the tens of thousands of people who depend on
this important sector for jobs cannot afford another day of delay in
cracking down on one of the most serious invasive species threats we
face today," said Sam Hines, executive vice president of Michigan Pork
Producers Association.

"Michigan must close the door to feral swine and
non-native wild hogs once and for all, starting this Friday. Michigan
jobs and our future are at stake."

"The best way to prevent feral swine from spreading diseases that can
destroy thousands of Michigan's family owned dairy farms and businesses
is to ban this invasive species and stop them at our borders," said Ken
Nobis, president of the Michigan Milk Producers Association.

"We urge our leaders in Lansing to fight feral swine with the same
commitment it has shown in fighting Asian carp, zebra mussels, emerald
ash borer and every other invasive species that endangers Michigan jobs
and our natural resources," said Ben Kudwa, legislative director of the
Potato Growers of Michigan Inc.

Feral swine, escapees from game ranches that have established wild populations, have been reported to destroy entire
devour crops, eat young livestock and wildlife and
spread dangerous diseases such as pseudorabies and bovine tuberculosis.

Associated Press fileTed Nugent

Opponents of a ban of sport species say that tighter regulation can allow game ranches to continue to offer the animals for recreational hunting, and that the open season on animals that do escape should be sufficient to curb the feral population.